Many parents have suspected for a long time that candy may contribute to hyperactivity in children. While sugar has been exonerated, it appears that the problem may be with preservatives and artificial colors.
I pulled together a list of candies which parents may want to consider when eliminating those elements from their diet, after all, kids deserve to be, well, kids. This is not a complete list of all natural candies, just a little something for now if you were wondering. I’ll pull something more complete together for Halloween.
Gummis & Fruit Sours
Katjes Tropical Gummis & Yogurt Gums
Jelly Belly All Natural Jelly Beans
St. Claire’s Organic Mints & Tarts
Organic Surf Sweets (Gummis, Fruity Bears & Jelly Beans)
Florida’s Naturals Sour Strings
Hard Candies
College Farm (Lollipops & Hard Candies)
Yummy Earth (Lollipops & Hard Candies)
Pure Fun (Cotton Candy & Hard Candies)
Chocolate
Most chocolate is all natural, except for the artificial flavor vanillin which is present in Hershey’s, Nestle, Mars, Palmer’s, World’s Finest and others. Some candy bars, however, contain additional preservatives such as Sodium Benzoate, TBHQ or BHA and Potassium Sorbate. So read labels carefully. Generally, stay away from colorful candy coatings to reduce the likelihood of running ot problematic chemicals.
Nestle Smarties (from the UK)
Sun Drops
Thompson Organics & All Natural Line
Endangered Species Chocolate
Equal Exchange (Fair Trade & Organic)
Green & Black’s (Fair Trade & Organic)
Guittard
Dagoba
Terra Nostra (Dairy Free “Milk” Chocolate & other organic goodies)
Theo
Licorice
Black Ace Licorice
Panda Bars
Gum & Mints
Glee
Anis de Flavigny
VerMints
St. Claire’s Organic Mints & Tarts
In most cases, I don’t miss the unnatural elements. Yes, the colors might not be as bright, but the flavors are usually the same or better. Without preservatives you have to get fresh candy. But that’s what you wanted anyway, right?
What’s your favorite all natural candy?
Related Candies
- This Week in Candy - Naturally!
- Green Halloween Final Thoughts
- Green Halloween
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